Trump Follows Initial Statement With Late-Night Apology Video

Following an initial statement many critics found insufficient, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump issued a lengthier apology late Friday night for the obscene remarks he made in an audio clip leaked earlier in the day.

Trump released his second statement on the matter by expressing regret for the sexually explicit and demeaning comments he made during an outtake of a 2005 appearance on Access Hollywood.

“I never said I’m a perfect person,” he said, “nor pretended to be someone that I’m not.”

He went on to express an intent to become a “better man,” noting the effect his presidential bid has had on his character.

“I’ve traveled the country talking about change for America,” he said. “But my travels have also changed me.”

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Attempting to end the video on a more positive note, Trump pledged to “discuss” the Clinton scandals “more in the coming days” before affirming he will still be facing the Democratic nominee in Sunday’s presidential debate.

The former reality television host used the opportunity of his apology video, which as of this writing has been viewed more than 9 million times, to attack rival Hillary Clinton and her husband.

“I’ve said some foolish things,” he said, “but there’s a big difference between the words and actions of other people. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims.”

Trump similarly invoked former President Clinton’s controversial past in his first statement on the matter.

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Following the bombshell revelation about him, along with leaked excerpts from Clinton speeches revealing among other things her apparent support of “open trade and open borders,” Trump’s first tweet of the day Saturday offered something of an understatement.

The release of the brash billionaire’s most vulgar comments to date have election-changing potential going into the second presidential debate.

Within hours of The Washington Post’s publication of the audio, Trump had lost at least one endorsement, faced the unequivocal condemnation of the GOP’s top leaders, and been disinvited from a high-profile rally in swing-state Wisconsin.

Some more vocal Republicans, including Utah Sen. Mike Lee, have called on Trump to step aside and allow the party to nominate a new candidate.